Phyllis Paula Murphy

Phyllis (Gibilisco) Murphy passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her daughters, Chrystal (John) Molnar and Celeste (David) Avery; and her beloved grandchildren, Maddy, Teddy, and Sammy. She was predeceased by her husband of 54  years, Jerry Murphy; her parents, Reverend Paul and Phyllis Gibilisco; her brothers, Joe and Tony Gibilisco; and several beloved family members.

Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Phyllis was proud of her Sicilian and Polish heritage. Food was her love language, and family and friends gathered around her table for homemade pasta dishes, stuffed cabbage, biscotti cookies, and plenty of laughter and stories. She had a special gift for making everyone feel welcomed, cared for, and loved - and never hungry.

Phyllis dedicated more than 40 years of service to Educational Testing Service (ETS), where she supported numerous executives, ran the essay reading office, and became widely known for her exceptional event planning skills. It was at ETS that she met the love of her life, Jerry. Her passion for education and community service extended beyond her professional career through volunteer work and nonprofit service. She served on the Mill  Hill Child and Family Development Center Board and worked to support countless other organizations.

Faith was the cornerstone of Phyllis's life. She loved the Lord, treasured her family, and found her greatest happiness in planning family vacations, spending time at the beach, and creating lasting memories with her daughters and grandchildren. Her generous heart, joyful spirit, unwavering kindness, and candor left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered through the many lives she touched and the beautiful memories she created. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m. on October 17, 2026, at Pennington Assembly of God Church, 87 Route 31 South, Pennington, New Jersey, with visiting hours starting at 9:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions in Phyllis’s name may be made to: https://wearelifetree.churchcenter.com/giving/to/phyllis-murphy-memorial-fund